TWI843090B - Sensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A sensing system includes at least one sensing patch and an electronic device. The at least one sensing patch has a liquid crystal composition, an alignment film, and a packaging layer. A compound in the liquid crystal composition has a plurality of specific probes. The packaging layer defines an image space for accommodating the alignment film and the liquid crystal composition, and at least one channel connecting the outside world and the image space. When the outside air enters the image space through the at least one channel and the corresponding specific probe binds to a specific molecule in the air, the corresponding liquid crystal molecule is induced to turn and block the passage of light. The electronic device generates optical changes according to the image space to generate detection information related to the specific molecule. In this way, the detection result is presented in a graphical interface without the need for any external power supply.

Description

Sensing system

The present invention relates to a sensing system, in particular to a sensing system capable of detecting specific molecules.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a known detection device 1 disclosed in Patent Case No. I668444 of the Republic of China mainly comprises a tube wall 11 defining a containing space 10, an alignment film 12, and a liquid crystal composition 13. The tube wall 11 has at least one light-transmitting area 111. The alignment film 12 and the liquid crystal composition 13 are filled into the containing space 10 and are used to control the orderly arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal composition 13.

When the tube wall 11 absorbs the object to be tested through the capillary phenomenon and the probe in the liquid crystal composition 13 combines with the specific molecules in the object to be tested, the original orderly arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules will be destroyed, causing the light-transmitting area 111 to produce optical changes, thereby achieving the purpose of detection.

However, since the detection device 1 absorbs the object to be detected by capillary phenomenon, it is only applicable to liquids, and the detection device 1 is a passive detection, requiring a person to manually drop the object to be detected on the tube wall 11, or place the detection device 1 in a fluid environment, which is inconvenient in the detection process, and the applicable environment is limited, and it cannot be popularized in daily life.

More importantly, the light-transmitting area 111 can only convey whether light has passed through. For uninformed observers, they will not be able to understand what the actual detection results mean.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a sensing system that can present the detection results with a graphical interface, is light, thin, small in size, easy to carry, has a wide range of applications, and meets environmental protection requirements.

Therefore, the sensing system of the present invention includes at least one sensing patch and an electronic device.

The at least one sensing patch includes a liquid crystal composition, a fully light-transmissive alignment film, and a fully light-transmissive encapsulation layer. The liquid crystal composition has a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and a compound. The compound has a plurality of specific probes. Each of the specific probes is suitable for binding to a specific molecule. The alignment film is used to arrange each of the liquid crystal molecules in an orderly manner and allow light to pass through. The encapsulation layer defines an image space for accommodating the alignment film and the liquid crystal composition, and at least one channel connecting the outside world and the image space. When the outside air enters the image space through the at least one channel and the corresponding specific probe binds to the specific molecule in the air, the corresponding liquid crystal molecule will be induced to turn and block the light from passing through, so that the image space will produce an optical change to form at least one reaction area with a transparency of no more than 80% and capable of presenting an image.

The electronic device is adapted to the at least one sensing patch, and compares the image set with an image including the at least one reaction area according to a preset image set. When the shape of the at least one reaction area matches the image set, detection information related to the specific molecule is generated.

The effect of the present invention is that through optical changes and the design of the image space, the present invention can achieve the purpose of detection and presenting the detection results with a graphical interface. It is not only light, thin, and small in size, easy to carry, but also can be used in different situations and occasions, and is suitable for different carriers or electronic devices, thereby improving popularity.

2: Sensing patch

2’: Correction patch

21: Liquid crystal composition

211: Liquid crystal molecules

212: Compounds

22: Alignment film

23: Packaging layer

230: Image space

231: Base material

2311: Groove

232: Protective material

2321: Channel

233: Reaction area

24: Adhesive layer

3: Carrier

4: Control unit

41: Control module

42: Warning module

43: Communication module

5: Electronic devices

6: Servo device

7:Sensor device

S: Sensing signal

M:Test information

P: Image

Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a known detection device disclosed in Patent No. I668444 of the Republic of China; FIG. 2 is a stereoscopic view illustrating an embodiment of the sensing patch of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a stereoscopic view of a substrate in the embodiment; FIG. 4 is an incomplete cross-sectional view of the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but several liquid crystal molecules are turned to ; FIG. 7 is a top view schematic diagram of the embodiment; FIG. 8 is a top view schematic diagram similar to FIG. 7, but several reaction areas present a figure; FIG. 9 is a top view schematic diagram similar to FIG. 7, but the reaction areas present a molecular formula symbol; FIG. 10 is a top view schematic diagram similar to FIG. 7, but the transparency of the reaction areas is higher; FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but a substrate and a protective material define several channels; FIG. 12 is an incomplete front view, illustrating a first embodiment of the sensing device of the present invention; FIG. 13 FIG14 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram, illustrating that a carrier of the first embodiment is a smart glasses; FIG15 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram, illustrating that the carrier of the first embodiment is a windshield; FIG16 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram, illustrating that the carrier of the first embodiment is a lamp; FIG17 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram, illustrating that the carrier of the first embodiment is a display; FIG18 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram, illustrating that the carrier of the first embodiment is a reflector; FIG19 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram, illustrating that the carrier of the first embodiment is a reflector; The carrier of one embodiment is a table; FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the sensing device of the present invention; FIG. 21 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 20, but includes a plurality of sensing patches; FIG. 22 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 20, including a plurality of sensing patches and a plurality of carriers; FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the sensing system of the present invention; FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the sensing system of the present invention; and FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the sensing system of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, an embodiment of the sensing patch 2 of the present invention is suitable for use in a light environment, and includes a liquid crystal composition 21, a fully light-transmitting alignment film 22, and a fully light-transmitting encapsulation layer 23.

The liquid crystal composition 21 includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules 211 and a compound 212. Each of the liquid crystal molecules 211 extends along a long axis X. The compound 212 has a plurality of specific probes. Each of the specific probes is suitable for binding to a specific molecule.

For example, when the specific molecule is carbon dioxide, the compound includes a diamine molecule capable of binding to carbon dioxide, when the specific molecule is methane, the compound is a hypochlorous acid compound capable of binding to methane, when the specific molecule is nitrous oxide, the compound is a nano-gold material capable of binding to nitrous oxide, when the specific molecule is hydrofluorocarbon, the compound is a tin dioxide compound capable of binding to hydrofluorocarbon, when the specific molecule is perfluorocarbon, the compound is a zinc oxide compound capable of binding to perfluorocarbon, when the specific molecule is sulfur hexafluoride, the compound is a titanium dioxide compound capable of binding to sulfur hexafluoride, when the specific molecule is nitrogen trifluoride, the compound is a tungsten trioxide compound capable of binding to nitrogen trifluoride, and when the specific molecule is ammonia, the compound includes an alkanal molecule capable of binding to ammonia.

The alignment film 22 is used to arrange each of the liquid crystal molecules 211 in an orderly manner. In this embodiment, each of the liquid crystal molecules 211 is regulated by the alignment film 22 and arranged with the long axis X parallel to the direction of light travel, thereby allowing light to pass through.

It is worth noting that the technology of orderly arranging the liquid crystal molecules 211 through the alignment film 22 is not a technical feature of the present invention, and since those with ordinary knowledge in the field can infer the expanded details based on the above description, no further explanation is given.

The packaging layer 23 includes a substrate 231 and a protective material 232 that is spaced from the substrate 231 and defines an image space 230.

The image space 230 is used to accommodate the alignment film 22 and the liquid crystal composition 21.

In this embodiment, the substrate 231 can be glass or a transparent polymer material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with a thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the substrate 231 made of glass is about 1 mm, and the thickness of the substrate 231 made of a polymer material is about 0.3 mm, and the length × width = 10 mm × 25 mm, but not limited thereto.

The substrate 231 is etched with a number of corresponding grooves 2311 in accordance with the layout of the image space 230. For example, the grooves 2311 are respectively a C-shaped symbol, an O-shaped symbol and the number "2".

In this embodiment, the protective material 232 is a breathable film, which cooperates with the substrate 231 and encapsulates the liquid crystal composition 21 and the alignment module 3, and has a plurality of channels 2321 connected to the outside and the image space 230. The channels 2321 are suitable for air to pass through and are invisible to the naked eye. In this embodiment, the protective material 232 can be polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

Referring to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the present invention is used to detect whether the carbon dioxide in the environment exceeds the standard. When the air containing carbon dioxide enters the image space 230 from the channels 2321, the corresponding specific probe in the compound 212 will bind to the carbon dioxide in the air, and induce the corresponding liquid crystal molecules 211 to turn and block the light from passing through. When the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is higher, more liquid crystal molecules 211 will turn. When the concentration of carbon dioxide reaches a threshold value, the image space 230 will produce optical changes and form three reaction areas 233 with a transparency of no more than 80% and capable of presenting "C" image, "O" image and "2" image.

It is worth noting that the optical change produced by the image space 230 can be a change in transparency, a change in lightness, or a change in color. And the transparency of each of the reaction areas 233 depends on the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air and whether more liquid crystal molecules 211 are turned. Preferably, when the image space 230 produces an optical change, the transparency of each of the reaction areas 233 can be between 50% and 0%. When the transparency is 0%, it is an opaque state, and a distinct dark area will be formed.

Thus, through the images and texts presented in the reaction area 233, the user can be alerted to the presence of harmful substances in the current environment without any operation procedures, and can clearly know that the harmful substance is carbon dioxide.

It is worth noting that the image space 230 is not limited to forming three reaction areas 233. In other variations of this embodiment, it can also be 1, 2, or 3 or more. The image presented by the reaction area 233 can be a figure as shown in FIG8, or a symbol as shown in FIG9, or different compounds 212 are filled in the corresponding grooves 2311 as shown in FIG4 and FIG5, for detecting multiple specific molecules.

It should be noted that the alignment film 22 and the encapsulation layer 23 are not limited to being fully transparent, and the liquid crystal molecules 211 are not limited to allowing light to pass through before turning forward. In other variations of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, light can be blocked before turning forward, and when the corresponding specific probe in the compound 212 binds to a specific molecule in the air, light can be allowed to pass through, thereby forming three reaction areas 233 with a transparency of not less than 50% and capable of presenting "C" images, "O" images, and "2" images. In this way, by forming texts with images presented by the reaction areas 233, users can also be alerted to the presence of harmful substances in the current environment without any operation procedures.

In addition, the protective material 232 is not limited to being breathable. In other variations of this embodiment, it can also be non-breathable. As shown in FIG. 11 , the protective material 232 and the substrate 231 define a number of channels 2321 connecting the grooves 2311 and the outside. Thus, the outside air can be guided into the grooves 2311 through the channels 2321.

Referring to Figures 4, 7 and 12, a first embodiment of the sensing device of the present invention includes the sensing patch 2 and a carrier 3.

The sensing patch 2 also includes a light-transmissive adhesive layer 24 formed on the outer surface of the packaging layer 23, so that the sensing patch 2 is bonded to the carrier 3 through the adhesive layer 24.

The color of the carrier 3 is different from the color of the reaction areas 233. For example, it cannot be gray, black, or other colors similar to those of the reaction areas 233.

Since the sensing patch of the present invention is fully transparent before optical changes occur and does not affect vision, the sensing patch 2 can be used in conjunction with different carriers 3 according to the occasions and needs. The carrier 3 can be smart glasses, ordinary glasses, or masks as shown in Figure 13, or windshields, car windows, or door and window panels as shown in Figure 14, or aquariums as shown in Figure 15, or lamps as shown in Figure 16, or displays of electronic products (such as mobile phones, tablets, watches) as shown in Figure 17.

It is worth noting that when the carrier 3 is a display as shown in FIG17, the sensing patch 2 can be used as a screen protector to cover the carrier 3. Thus, the embodiments shown in FIG12 to FIG17 can automatically detect specific molecules in the environment without any operation procedures by the user, determine whether there are harmful substances, and automatically warn.

The carrier 3 can also be a reflective mirror as shown in FIG18 , or a table as shown in FIG19 . Thus, whether the carrier 3 is an object that can be penetrated by light, an object that can refract light, or an object that can reflect light, the original visual effect will not be affected by connecting the sensing patch 2 .

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 20 , a second embodiment of the sensing device of the present invention is shown, which also includes the sensing patch 2 and the carrier 3, and also includes a control unit 4.

In this embodiment, the carrier 3 is a photosensitive element, such as a photoresistor, which can change the resistance or current and other related values according to the change of the light intensity penetrating the image space 230, and output a sensing signal S.

The control unit 4 includes a control module 41 electrically connected to the carrier 3 (photosensitive element), an alarm module 42 electrically connected to the control module 41, and a communication module 43 electrically connected to the control module 41.

The control module 41 determines whether the concentration of the specific molecule is greater than a threshold value based on the sensing signal S, and can control the warning module 42 to generate a warning message.

The warning module 42 can be a buzzer, a display, or a light-emitting element, and the warning message can be at least one of sound, text, and light.

The communication module 43 can communicate with a near-end or far-end electronic device 5 through wired or wireless communication technology.

When the specific molecule exists in the environment, in addition to presenting the reaction areas 233 through the image space 230, the control module 41 will also judge the concentration of the specific molecule according to the size of the resistance in the sensing signal S. When the concentration of the specific molecule is greater than the threshold value, the control module 41 further controls the warning module 42 to generate a warning message such as sound, text, or light, and generates a detection information M related to the specific molecule. At the same time, the communication module 43 is controlled to transmit the detection information M to the electronic device 5. In this way, in addition to generating different levels of warning effects through the graphical reaction area 233 and the warning message, users in other areas can also be notified.

In this embodiment, the detection information M at least includes the name, concentration (or degree of harm) and other information of the specific molecule.

It is worth noting that the number of the sensing patch 2 is not limited to only one. In other variations of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, two or more sensing patches 2 may be stacked one on top of another, and the carrier 3 (photosensitive element) faces the sensing patch 2 located at the outermost side, thereby increasing the sensitivity during sensing. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 22, the sensing device includes a plurality of carriers 3 and a plurality of sensing patches 2, and each of the sensing patches 2 is connected to a respective carrier 3, thereby detecting different specific molecules.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 23, a first embodiment of the sensing system of the present invention includes the sensing patch 2, the electronic device 5, and a servo device 6.

In this embodiment, the electronic device 5 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, smart glasses, watch, etc. that can take pictures and can communicate with the remote server device 6 through wireless communication technology.

The electronic device 5 can store or call a preset image set (not shown) by the server device 6, and after taking an image P including the reaction areas 233, compare the image set with the image P. When the shapes of the reaction areas 233 match the image set, detection information M related to the specific molecule is generated.

It is worth noting that the image P is not limited to being taken by the electronic device 5. In other variations of this embodiment, it can also be taken by another shooting device (not shown) and then transmitted to the electronic device 5.

And to compare whether the shapes of the reaction areas 233 match the image set, the electronic device 5 can also transmit the image P to the server device 6, and then the server device 6 compares the image set with the image P. When the shapes of the reaction areas 233 match the image set, the detection information M related to the specific molecule is generated and returned to the electronic device 5. In this way, the presence of the specific molecule in the environment can be known at the first time through the graphical reaction area 233 in a WYSIWYG manner. At the same time, the name, concentration (or degree of harm) of the specific molecule and other information can also be obtained from the detection information M.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 24, a second embodiment of the sensing system of the present invention is shown, which also includes the sensing patch 2, the electronic device 5 and the servo device 6, and also includes a calibration patch 2'.

The calibration patch 2' is used to bind to specific molecules in the air and present a color change from light to dark according to the concentration. In this embodiment, the calibration patch 2' and the sensing patch 2 have roughly the same structure, and the difference is that when the image space 230 of the calibration patch 2' undergoes an optical change, a color change from light to dark can be presented, for example, from yellow to red. Thus, after obtaining an image P including the sensing patch 2 and the calibration patch 2', the concentration of the specific molecule can be determined by the color difference of the image space 230.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 25 , a third embodiment of the sensing system of the present invention is shown, which also includes the sensing patch 2, the electronic device 5 and the servo device 6, and further includes a sensing device 7 capable of communicating with the electronic device 5.

In this embodiment, the sensing device 7 is a photosensitive element that can change related values such as resistance or current according to changes in the light intensity penetrating the image space 230, and output a sensing signal S (not shown) to the electronic device 5. In this way, the electronic device 5 can generate the detection information M (not shown) according to the sensing signal S (not shown).

It should be noted that the detection information M is not limited to being generated by the electronic device 5. In other variations of this embodiment, the electronic device 5 may also transmit the sensing signal S to the server device 6, and then the server device 6 generates the detection information M according to the sensing signal S and transmits it back to the electronic device 5. In this way, the presence of the specific molecule in the environment can be immediately known through the graphical reaction area 233 in a WYSIWYG manner. At the same time, the name, concentration (or degree of harm) of the specific molecule and other information can also be obtained from the detection information M.

For example, when the carrier 3 is a transparent photosensitive element and the electronic device 5 is a smart glasses, when the sensing patch 2 presents the reaction areas 233, the user wearing the electronic device 5 (smart glasses) can not only know the presence of the specific molecule in the environment in a WYSIWYG manner, but also the electronic device 5 or the servo device 6 will judge the concentration of the specific molecule according to the resistance in the sensing signal S and present the detection information M through the electronic device 5.

Through the above description, the advantages of the aforementioned embodiments can be summarized as follows:

1. The sensing patch 2 of the present invention does not require power supply and does not require active operation by the user to achieve the purpose of detection and presentation of results. It not only has low manufacturing cost, but also saves energy and carbon, and meets environmental protection requirements.

2. The present invention can achieve the purpose of presenting the detection results in a graphical interface through optical changes and the design of the image space 230. Without the need for expensive and complex instruments to interpret the signal, the detection results can be obtained in a WYSIWYG manner. It is not only light, thin, and small in size, and easy to carry, but also can be used in different situations and occasions, and is suitable for different carriers 3 or electronic devices 5.

3. The present invention can not only track carbon footprints, but also can be used in conjunction with different compounds to detect harmful substances in the air such as methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, nitrogen trifluoride, and ammonia.

However, the above is only an example of the implementation of the present invention, and it cannot be used to limit the scope of the implementation of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention and the content of the patent specification are still within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

2: Sensing patch

230: Image space

233: Reaction area

Claims (6)

A sensing system comprises: at least one sensing patch, the at least one sensing patch comprises a liquid crystal composition, a fully light-transmissive alignment film, and a fully light-transmissive encapsulation layer, the liquid crystal composition comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and a compound, the compound comprises a plurality of specific probes, each of the specific probes is suitable for binding a specific molecule, the alignment film is used to arrange each of the liquid crystal molecules in an orderly manner and allow light to pass through, the encapsulation layer defines an image space for accommodating the alignment film and the liquid crystal composition, and at least one channel connecting the outside world and the image space, when the outside world When air enters the image space through the at least one channel and the corresponding specific probe binds to a specific molecule in the air, it will induce the corresponding liquid crystal molecules to turn and block the light from passing through, causing the image space to undergo an optical change and form at least one reaction area with a transparency of no more than 80% and capable of presenting an image; and an electronic device adapted to the at least one sensing patch, and based on a preset image set, compares the image set with an image including the at least one reaction area, and generates detection information related to the specific molecule when the shape of the at least one reaction area matches the image set. The sensing system as described in claim 1, wherein the image can be taken by the electronic device, or taken by another camera and then transmitted to the electronic device. The sensing system as described in claim 1 further comprises a calibration patch, which is used to bind to a specific molecule in the air and present a color change from light to dark according to the concentration of the specific molecule. After obtaining an image including the sensing patch and the calibration patch, the concentration of the specific molecule can be judged by the color difference between the sensing patch and the calibration patch. The sensing system as described in claim 1 further includes a sensing device capable of communicating with the electronic device, the sensing device outputs a sensing signal to the electronic device according to the change in light intensity penetrating the image space, and the electronic device generates the detection information according to the sensing signal. The sensing system as described in claim 1 further includes a server device capable of communicating with the electronic device. The electronic device transmits an image including the at least one reaction area to the server device. The server device compares the image with a preset image set. When the shape of the at least one reaction area matches the image set, the server device generates the detection information and transmits it back to the electronic device. The sensing system as described in claim 5 further includes a sensing device capable of communicating with the electronic device, the sensing device outputs a sensing signal to the electronic device according to the change in light intensity penetrating the image space, the electronic device transmits the sensing signal to the servo device, and the servo device generates the detection information according to the sensing signal.

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